Col. Nathaniel Cushing

Mr. Cushing belonged to the illustrious Cushing family of Boston and was born in Pembroke, Mass., April 8th, 1753. At the beginning of the revolutionary war he lived in or near Boston. In July, 1775, he was commissioned Lieutenant in Captain Trescott's Company and Colonel Brewers regiment, promoted as Captain in 1777, and came out of the war as Major by bevet.

He was engaged in many battles and skirmishes and was regarded as one of the most brave and successful officers. By his kindness to those under his command and his watchful care for the best interest of his men, he was a great favorite with the soldiers. His Company was attached to Gen. Rufus Putnam's regiment of light infantry and he made some daring and successful raids on the enemy. At that time there was a large district between the contending armies called the neutral ground that was nearly deserted by the inhabitants, and ravaged by both parties especially by the Tories, who, from this and the adjoining country, supplied the British in New York with forage and fresh provisions. The Americans, to watch the incursions of the enemy and keep the Tories from robbing the peaceable inhabitants near the lines, kept strong outposts or detachments of soldiers on the borders between King's bridge and the White Plains. It was a dangerous position for the troops, and none but the most active and vigilant of the partisan officers were selected for this service. They were not only liable to sudden and night attacks from the bands of Tories who were bom and brought up here, and were familiar with every road and by-path, but also exposed to a corps of light horse under the noted partisan officer Col. Simcoe who had cut off and destroyed several advanced parties of American troops.

To avoid the latter casualties, the order of the Commanding General was, that they should not advance beyond a certain line into the neutral ground, but keep within their own defenses, lest they should be surprised by the light horse and cut to pieces. Among others ordered on this hazardous service, was Capt. Cushing with a detachment of men in addition to his own Company. Soon after arriving and taking up his position, information was brought by some of the Whig inhabitants, that there was a considerable body of Tories posted at no great distance from him on the road to New York. The opportunity thus afforded of distinguishing himself and the detachment under his orders was too great to be resisted; besides, if successful, he would be doing a service to the cause, and wipe away some of the disgrace attached to the defeat of other officers who had preceeded him in this service. With the main body of his men he, early that night, commenced a rapid march across the country, by an unfrequented road and about midnight surprised and captured the whole party. Col. Simcoe, with his mounted rangers, was posted in that vicinity, and received early notice of the event, by some friend of the British and acting with his usual promptness, immediately commenced a pursuit, with the expectation of cutting to pieces the detachment, and releasing the prisoners. Cant. Cushing, with all haste, posted off the Captive Tories in advance, under a small guard, charging the officer to rush on toward the lines as rapidly as possible, while he followed more leisurely in the rear, with the main body of troops. Expecting a pursuit from Simcoe; he marched in three ranks, and arranged the order of defense if it were attacked by the cavalry; a kind of troops much more dreaded by the infantry than those of their own class. When about half way back, the clattering hoofs of the rangers horses were heard in hot pursuit. As they approached, he halted his detachment in the middle of the road, ready to receive the charge. It fortunately happened that he found, in the house with the captured Tories a number of long spears or lances, sufficient to arm the rear rank. When called to a halt, and face the enemy, it brought the spearmen in front. Standing in close array, shoulder to shoulder, with one end resting on the ground, they received their enraged enemies on their points, while the other two ranks poured upon them a deadly fire, leaving

many of the horses without riders. This unexpected result threw them into disorder, and their leader directed a retreat. Cushing now renewed his march in the same order. Simcoe, enraged and chagrined at the failure of his charge, again ordered a fresh and more furious onset, but was received by his brave antagonist in the same cool and resolute manner, and met a still more decided repulse, losing a number of his best men and horses. Not yet satisfied to let his enemies escape he made a third unsuccessful attempt and gave up the pursuit, leaving Capt. Cushing to retire at his leisure. He reached his post unmolested, with all the prisoners, and the loss of only a few men wounded; none killed. The following day he was relieved by a fresh detachment and marched into camp with the trophies of this brave adventure.

The morning after his return, in the orders of the day, by the commander-in-chief, notice was taken of this affair, and any similar attempt by the troops on the lines forbidden, thereby apparently censuring the conduct of Capt. Cushing. This was rather a damper to the feelings of a brave officer, who was peculiarly sensitive and sustained a nice sense of military honor. Soon after the promulgation of the order, and he had retired to his tent brooding over the event of the morning, and half inclined to be both angry and mortified at the nice distinctions of the Commander, an aid of Gen. Washington entered with a polite invitation to dine with him. He readily complied with the request and at the table was placed in the post of honor at Washington's right hand. A large number of officers were present, in whose hearing he highly complimented Capt. Cushing for the gallant manner in which he conducted the retreat with the coolness and success he had done; but at the same time added that for the strict and orderly discipline of the army, it was necessary to discountenance every act that contravened the orders of the Commander-in-chief. This satisfied all his mortified feelings and increased his love and respect for his revered general.

His was one of the first families who arrived in Marietta, August 19th, 1788.

Soon after his arrival he was commissioned by Governor Saint Clair as Captain in the First Regiment. He was one of the most active, brave, and intelligent men in arranging and conducting military and civil affairs in the settlement. After the capture of Maj. Goodale by Indians he was chosen Commandant in Farmers Castle.

He was gentlemanly and refined in manners, very courteous and affable in his intercourse with others, whether poor or rich, and very highly esteemed by Mr. and Mrs. Blennerhassett.

He died in 1814.

Source: A History of Belpre, Washington County, Ohio, by C. E. Dickinson, 1920, Transcribed by C. Anthony